Quote:
Originally Posted by archipelago
The prevailing view (from the medical model) is that Bipolar is 80% genetic and rare with a 1% prevalence rate. And some feel it is as severe as schizophrenia and can only be treated by medications.
Depression on the other hand is common and has degrees of severity and recurrence. It does respond to treatments of various kinds.
Both lead to intense suffering and possible early death. Both can ruin quality of life. And within Bipolar, the manic or hypomanic phases are treated more seriously than the depressive phases.
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There are aspects of both depression and Bipolar that can be seen as positive while others more negative. But they are both challenging illnesses to deal with, whether with or without professional help and meds but more challenging battling on own with them. It makes it harder to cope when others don't treat you well or believe you and say or behave in negative unhelpful ways towards you..but we have choice then how we respond to that. People who have depression and bipolar are not weak individuals. They have qualities and strengths and abilities still and their true self is not their illness.